IKEA activated a fuel cell system at its retail location in Emeryville, California. The project represents the first IKEA endeavor globally to convert biogas into electricity through fuel cells. The system was manufactured by Bloom Energy.

Slightly larger than the physical size of a commercial back-up generator, the 300-kW system will operate on biogas and produce about 2,497,651 kWh of electricity annually for the store. Combined with the solar energy system installed atop the store in 2011, these fuel cells will help generate more than a majority of the store’s energy onsite.

This investment in fuel cell technology reflects the company’s goal to be energy independent by 2020.